TAIERI DRAINAGE

Evening Star, Issue 22070, 2 July 1935, Page 6

TAIERI DRAINAGE

VISIT DF INSPECTION BY RIVER TRUST The members of the Taieri River Trust visit the Plain occasionally to inspect the various works being carried on, and listen to the requests of ratepayers here and there lor better drainage and protection for_ their properties. The report on the visit of the past month, tabled yesterday at the monthly meeting, is of more than passing interest, and shows the large amount or time and thought members give to the welfare of the Plain. On ariving at Berwick, the committee met some settlers, and wont into the question of the most suitable drainage for this area, and recommended that the existing drain from the contour channel to Spencer’s B.D. should be widened to give ,‘lft in .the bottom, and from Spencer’s road to Cameron’s the drain should he taken along the roadside and a 2ft culvert put through the road at the corner. This drain would require three 12ft culverts, 2ft deep, for crossings, 2in Spencer’s and lin Cameron’s-Crossan’s. The committee went into the question where the area proposed to be drained should stop, and decided that the line should stretch from the top of Cameron s boundary to the contour. It is understood that this is a block line, and is shown on the map. This area takes in about 120 acres of the Berwick Flab, including all the low ground of Shennan’s. The committee was unanimous on this proposal, and submitted it to the settlers, who are agreeable to this proposal, end no further opposition will be raised. , The committee mot Mr Lyders, or Henley, who asked that the drain between Smith’s and Wilson’s should be opened to give him drainage, as the existing drain did not have sufficient fall to drain his low ground, and the proposed drain is direct to the pump and has plenty of fall. As this is an urgent work the committee decided to do this work by contract. The committee met Mr Overton, who showed members the property which he claims has no drainage. This is P.W.D. property between the railway and the hank adjoining the Titri railway bridge. The only drainage that this land ever had is' a viaduct under the railway at Bull Creek, which has been filled in by the Railways Department. This land at the present time is three parts a lake, and as no scheme except a costly one could be devised to drain the area, th© committee reckoned that this areft should be exempt from the past and present rates. ' The committee also draws the attention of the trust to the state of the bank at the bottom end of the outer area.* This bank is below high-water mark, and the bank is washed away in one place, and wo recommend that the land below Wain’s drain should not be included in the drainage rate, ami the R. 1). at Borrow pit at Smith’s house should he blocked to stop any water coming into the box At the month or the'channel. . , , The attention of the trust is directed to a gorse. hedge about half a chain wide and 10ft high running from the old bank to within two chains of the new bank. It is considered that this hedge will force the water on to the now bank at the box and cause a scour in the bank in the event of a flood in the outer area. This hedge is on the p.W.D. property, and we recommend that the trust ‘'should approach the P.W.D. with a. view to having portion of this hedge cut down. The committee met a deputation ol settlers from the outer area, who outlined a scheme for the most ‘ suitable drainage for them, and it is recommended that “A ” drain should be cleared to the factory and a drain should bo cleaned from the Borrow pit to'the corner of Smith’s and Sinclair’s boundary. It is also recommended that Duck Creek should be opened into the Borrow pit to give Mr T. Wishart drainage through Air W. Horne’s property, and an outlet further up to give Mr R. Bruce access to the Borrow pit. There are about six boxes on the old bank that are obsolete, and as these are leaking it is recommended that they should be filled in. It is the opinion of the committee that this work will bo required to be clone to give the area between the now and old banks reasonable drainage. Air T. Wishart then met the trust and asked that the bottom end of Duck Creek should be connected with “ B ” drain. There is a drain along the railway line about 15 chains, and it is recommended that the Railways Department be asked to give permission to clean it.

The committee then inspected the new cut at Aloynihan’s road, and met the top gang at Air D. Colquhouu’s. This matt has an artesian Well causing considerable damage to the trust’s drain. The committee approached him about it, and he lias agreed to take measures to rectify this at mice. The inspection was continued on June 18, and included the greater paid of Loch Katrine drain. This drain is iu a bad state, and is recommended first on the list for the top gang to clean out and a Ift culvert at the head of the drain should be lowered. This culvert crosses the Outram-A Hanbo n road.

The committee inspected the Wylie’s Creek diversion and found that this channel was after only six or seven hours’ rain. This part of the plain presents a real problem, as it is all the contour can do to carry the present water, and if the Wylie’s Creek diversion is widened to cope with the water from bile hills it would add a bigger strain on the contour. After hearing the report the Works Committee recommended that the following works should be carried out during the next two months:—Lower gang: Finish “B” drain to railway; finish Centre road to Al’Fadzion’s; finish drain from Kirk’s drain to Dory’s; Thompsoh’s drain from Kjrk’s drain to Thompson’s, and then to Morrison’s, Otokia drain from New Channel to Duck Creek, and then Wheeler s drain from Kirk’s drain to Thompson’s '.Lagoon. Top gang; Clean Loch Katrine drain and Alomonn. drain, then back to Duck Creek from Bisset’s to tlie head of the Duck Greek to Outram road, and then to Wylie’s diver- ; sion. j The report and recommendations , were adopted. I -